ZipHer: Decorative device designed to pull zippers located on the backs of dresses - in particular invisible zippers - up and down

ABSTRACT

ZipHer® is a decorative device to pull garment hard-to-reach or back zippers up and down. The way an “invisible zipper” is sewn into a garment makes the zipper invisible and hidden in a seam. The only part of the invisible zipper that is left accessible is the pull tab which lacks the large hole of traditional zippers. ZipHer is a stand alone zipper aid that is inserted into the tiny connector link between the zipper pull tab and the slider. The ZipHer hook is designed not to dislodge while zipping up or down and is strong enough to pull up zippers on form fitting garments. The flexible ball chain can be wrapped around the hand to accommodate various heights. ZipHer, commercially available at www.primaproductions.com, has been sold to over 600 people in the United States and many foreign countries.

CROSS-REFERENCE to RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/662,325 filed Jun. 20, 2012.

BACKGROUND

This invention was inspired out of need by a woman living alone. It can be a difficult task dressing when there is no one to help zip up or down hard-to-reach back zippers. In most cases one can zip only halfway up the back from above or below the shoulder unaided. Other zipper helpers were found lacking in length, strength, or ability to attach properly to the zipper. The ZipHer addresses all of these concerns. In addition, this zipper aid is decorative in appearance with faux pearls and brass accoutrements. ZipHer® is a registered trademark of PrimaProductions LLC.

Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,283,381, 5,603,542, 5,975,386, 3,951,319, 5,855,401, 6,032,996, 6,112,958, and Patent Application Publication Nos. 20120169076, and 20130069378. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: (a) attachment mechanisms that dislodge with light pulling force, (b) rigid pulling mechanisms that require reaching over the shoulder and down the back, (c) devices that cannot be detached from a zipper that ends mid or upper back, and (d) devices designed only for traditional zippers with a tab hole.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows drawing of the ZipHer and its component parts; and

FIG. 2A shows black & white photograph of the ZipHer hook attached to invisible zipper; and

FIG. 2B shows black & white photograph of enlargement of hook attachment; and

FIG. 2C shows black & white photograph of ZipHer in use; and

FIG. 3 shows black & white photograph of the commercially available ZipHer.

DESCRIPTION

This invention satisfies the needs above. A novel and decorative zipper pull device is provided for users to dress themselves using garments with hard-to-reach back zippers. With reference to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, the ZipHer is comprised of a hook and handle assembly, ball chain, and pulling handle assembly. The hook and handle assembly, as shown in FIG. 1, has the elongated hook 1, hex base 2, small jewel bead 3, finish washer 4, and ball chain connector 5. The pulling handle is comprised of a ball chain connector 7, finish washer 8, large jewel bead 9, split lock washer 10, and acorn nut 11. Ball chain connector 5 is connected to ball chain connector 7 by a length of ball chain 6.

The present embodiment of the invention uses faux pearl beads for the jewel beads 3 and 9, and brass or brass plated steel for the remaining components. Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit and scope of the invention is by no means restricted to what is described above. The available variety of jewels, faux or organic, and metal finishes makes a very large number of permutations and combinations possible, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows the hook and handle assembly 4 and elongated hook 3 inserted into the invisible zipper between the zipper slider 1 and the zipper pull tab 2. FIG. 2B shows an enlarged image of the tiny connector link 5 where the elongated hook is inserted. The elongated hook 3 enables the user to remove the ZipHer after zipping up a garment with a back zipper that extends to the mid or upper back which a person cannot reach with their hand. FIG. 3 shows a black & white photograph of the commercially available ZipHer.

The ZipHer is designed for ease-of-use right out of the package. One is enabled to use the product instinctively as an extension of ones own arm and hand. With reference to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, pull down the zipper of the garment. Locate the tiny connector link 5 between the zipper pull tab 2 and the slider 1. If a traditional zipper is used locate the hole in the pull tab. Hold the handle assembly 4 and insert the elongated hook 3 of the ZipHer into the connector link 5 from the top of the pull tab down. The ZipHer will hang down from the unzipped zipper on the garment. Step into the garment and pull the garment on. Referring to FIG. 2C, grab the pulling handle bead hanging down the back and bring it up over your shoulder. Make sure the chain is taut, wrapping the ball chain around the hand if necessary. Pull the chain up until the garment is zipped to the top. Release the chain, reach behind to grab the handle assembly 4 and slide the hook out of the zipper.

The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages, including (a) the elongated hook will not dislodge from the zipper while pulling the zipper up or down, (b) the ball chain is flexible and reaching over the shoulder and down the back is not needed to pull the zipper up, (c) the elongated hook can easily be detached from a zipper that ends mid or upper back, and (d) the ZipHer is designed to operate the invisible zipper with no visible hole in the pull tab.

In the Description of the Invention above, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 

1. We claim a sturdy, decorative jewel-like device to pull hard-to-reach or back zippers up and down, consisting of an elongated hook, jewel handle to manipulate the hook, ball chain and jewel pulling handle.
 2. We claim a practical device providing quick and easy attachment to all kinds of zippers, in particular “invisible zippers” with small tear-shaped pull tabs with no visible hole, while supplying sufficient strength to pull up or down zippers on form-fitting fashion garments.
 3. We claim a useful device that has substantial and credible utility for persons living alone, or for those with weakened muscle tone, shorter arm length, or compromised agility to complete the task of dressing themselves in garments with back zippers. 